Two approaches to the construction of approximate analytical solutions for bending of a rectangular thin plate are presented: the superposition method based on the method of initial functions (MIF) and the one built using the Green's function in the form of orthogonal series. Comparison of two approaches is carried out by analyzing a square plate clamped along its contour. Behavior of the moment and the shear force in the neighborhood of the corner points is discussed. It is shown that both solutions give identical results at all points of the plate except for the neighborhoods of the corner points. There are differences in the values of bending moments and generalized shearing forces in the neighborhoods of the corner points.